HARRISBURG, June 24, 2015 – In her ongoing work to include Pennsylvanians with disabilities in daily life, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today won Senate passage of resolutions that will designate September as “National Spinal Cord Awareness Month” and Sept. 10 as “World Suicide Prevention Day” in the commonwealth.

During the month-long “National Spinal Cord Awareness Month,” Tartaglione said the designation is important to her because of the boating accident that changed her life, and because spinal cord injuries happen too frequently.

“Did you know that every 48 minutes, another person in the U.S. becomes paralyzed from a spinal cord injury?” Tartaglione asked fellow senators this afternoon. “Today, we have more Americans living with paralysis than ever before, and that number is growing exponentially as our veteran population expands.

“I ask that we take the necessary steps to ensure everyone gains access to the latest medical treatments and technologies because every individual with a spinal cord injury deserves the opportunity for a better quality of life,” she said.

For “World Suicide Prevention Day,” Tartaglione said it’s important for people to learn more about suicide because 1,700 Pennsylvanians take their own lives every year.

“By taking part in this important event, all of us can help put an end to suicide,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “From government to health professionals, from interest groups to family, friends and co-workers; everyone plays an equally important role in suicide prevention.

“Working together, we can increase awareness and education, so that individuals at-risk of suicide are identified, treated and provided with the post-intervention services they need.”